The cricketing world finds itself in the grip of an unprecedented political and sporting standoff as the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup lurches from one crisis to another. Bangladesh’s dramatic decision to withdraw its men’s cricket team from the tournament, citing security concerns in India, has set off a domino effect—culminating in Pakistan’s threatened boycott of their high-profile fixture against India. With the tournament’s opening matches underway, the tension off the field may well eclipse the action on it.
For Ziaul Haque Tanin, a former first-class cricketer turned sports entrepreneur from Thakurgaon, Bangladesh, the World Cup was meant to be a celebration. He had meticulously planned a trip to Kolkata’s famed Eden Gardens, where Bangladesh was scheduled to face Italy on February 9. But those plans—and the hopes of millions of Bangladeshi cricket fans—were dashed when the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced it would not send its team to India. The BCB’s request to relocate matches to Sri Lanka was firmly rejected by the International Cricket Council (ICC), leading to Bangladesh’s expulsion and Scotland’s inclusion in their stead.
The fallout has been immediate and far-reaching. Cricket, Bangladesh’s most beloved sport, has become a casualty in a broader political dispute between Dhaka and New Delhi. Tensions have simmered since August 2024, when former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina sought refuge in India after being ousted, fueling resentment in Bangladesh over trade disputes and political interference. The situation only intensified in January 2026 when Mustafizur Rahman, Bangladesh’s fast-bowling star, was dropped from the Indian Premier League—a move Bangladeshi officials described as evidence of mounting pressure on Indian cricket authorities.
“The ICC’s double standards have been exposed,” Shamim Chowdhury, head of research at T Sports in Dhaka, told Al Jazeera, reflecting the widespread anger among Bangladeshi fans and officials. Abu Zarr Ansar Ahmed, a Dhaka-based sports journalist, echoed the sentiment, emphasizing that security concerns extended beyond the players to include staff, journalists, and supporters. “From that perspective, Bangladesh made the right decision,” he said, warning that any incident involving Bangladeshi nationals in India could spark outrage at home, especially with national elections on the horizon.
Yet, not everyone is convinced that the boycott serves the nation’s long-term interests. Khairul Islam, a university lecturer in Dhaka, acknowledged the security risks but questioned whether a third-country venue could have been a viable compromise. On the bustling streets of Dhaka, public opinion appears to lean in favor of the government’s decision, with many citing concerns over violence against Muslims in India and ongoing border tensions. Of 14 people interviewed by Al Jazeera, seven supported the boycott outright, three opposed it (all supporters of the Awami League), and four declined to state political affiliations but still backed the move.
Inside the Bangladesh dressing room, the mood is one of frustration and regret. Two national team players, speaking anonymously to Al Jazeera, revealed that the squad had trained intensively and felt primed after a stellar 2025 season, during which Bangladesh posted a record 15 wins in 30 T20 matches—their best calendar-year performance in the format. “We felt ready,” one player said. Both players expressed disappointment at missing the World Cup stage, not just for the lost match fees but for the missed opportunity to test themselves against top opposition and advance their careers. “It’s not just money,” another added. “It’s the chance to grow.”
To fill the competitive void, the BCB has hastily organized the "Odommo Bangladesh T20 Cup," a three-team event with 25 million taka (about $200,000) in prize money and player fees. While it provides some consolation, the absence from cricket’s global showcase remains a bitter pill for players and fans alike. Former Bangladesh batter Anamul Haque Bijoy lamented, “Sports should be above everything,” underscoring the heartbreak of missing a World Cup—the pinnacle for any cricketer. Behind closed doors, criticism has been sharper. Former BCB director Ahmed Sajjadul Alam warned of financial losses and diminished influence within the ICC, while Syed Ashraful Haque, a key figure in Bangladesh’s rise to Test status, argued the crisis could have been resolved through dialogue.
The political undertones of the boycott have reverberated beyond Bangladesh. The Pakistan Cricket Board has openly supported Bangladesh’s stance and urged the ICC to reconsider its rigid scheduling. In a move that has stunned the cricketing community, Pakistan announced it would not play its T20 World Cup match against India, scheduled for February 15 in Colombo, unless the ICC reverses its decision on Bangladesh. This high-stakes standoff threatens not only the sporting spectacle but also the financial underpinnings of international cricket.
At the heart of the matter is the ICC’s $3 billion media rights deal with JioStar, which hinges on the annual India-Pakistan clash—a fixture estimated to be worth $500 million alone. According to a source familiar with the deal, these matches account for nearly two-thirds of the contract’s value, and any cancellation could trigger a massive rebate, slashing revenues for smaller Test nations such as West Indies, New Zealand, and even Pakistan itself. “Any reduction in the value of the ICC’s media rights, or a rebate from the current deal, would have major ramifications,” the source noted, as around 70% of these countries’ revenues flow from ICC distributions.
Negotiations are ongoing, with the ICC’s deputy chair Imran Khwaja and Mubashir Usmani of the Emirates Cricket Board in direct talks with the PCB. The ICC chair, Jay Shah, has notably stayed on the sidelines, given his prior role as secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India and close ties to the Indian government. The ICC has so far refrained from launching formal disciplinary action, focusing instead on persuading Pakistan to relent and avoid a crisis that could reverberate for years.
Back in Bangladesh, the government’s decision to boycott was made at the cabinet level after the ICC refused to budge. The BCB has accepted the ruling and will not pursue further arbitration, according to director Amjad Hossain. Fans like Tanin, left with unused visas and idle tickets, feel the personal cost of a decision that has rippled far beyond the cricket field. “The sadness of not playing is bigger,” former captain Mohammad Ashraful reflected, capturing the mood of a nation that sees its cricketing dreams put on hold by forces beyond its control.
As the T20 World Cup unfolds, the shadow of politics looms large. Whether this episode ultimately strengthens Bangladesh’s sovereignty or weakens its standing in world cricket remains to be seen. For now, the cost—emotional, financial, and sporting—is already being felt across the cricketing world, with the future of the tournament and the sport’s global unity hanging in the balance.